can you rent a council property if you already own a property?

jadzia

This is basically what i need to know,if you already own a property,are you still eligable to rent a council house?

Ally

Allocations are based on a number of needs. Having a house kinda knocks you off the list, there may be exceptions depending on your needs, you'd need to check with a specialist.

... is the home-owner not able to live in the property?

If it is just a matter of choice, the answer will no doubt be no.

Edit: because I made an assumption.

jadzia

Its someone i know,they own a 1 bedroom flat,but they rent a 3 bed council house,they couldnt live in the flat because its not big enough,they have kids,im just not clear on the rules,and have feeling the flat was not declared on housing form,so its just an inquiry really,as to wether they should have been entitled!

needaspirin

A person does not have to be roofless, or 'street homeless', to be homeless. A person is statutorily homeless if s/he has no accommodation available to her/him either in the UK or anywhere else in the world, that is, accommodation:-
• which s/he is legally entitled to occupy; and
• which is available to her/him and her/his household.
A person is also statutorily homeless if s/he has accommodation, but:-
• s/he cannot access it; or
• it is not reasonable to continue to occupy it, for example, due to a fear of violence or lack of affordability; or
• the accommodation is a caravan, mobile home or boat, and s/he has nowhere to pitch or moor it.

ginger_nuts

its not illegal to rent and own at the same time .

Lets say I rent from the council ,and then buy a flat/ house and rent it out .
I can still continue to pay my rent to the council and rent the other place .

neas

Seems a bit weird that someone owns a flat but can get council housing? Wouldnt they be able to afford private rented accomodation if they sold the flat.

hmmf silly system.. but whatever

jadzia

Thats what i was thinking!!

m00m00

it is different getting a council house when you own a flat, to buying a flat while you are in council housing.

It's very hard for most people to get a council house, but much harder for them to lose it once they have it

bobby-boy_2

I was in a similar situation had a flat needed a bigger place, applied to the council they agreed i was classed as over crowded and eventually got a council flat. I declared my private flat and it did NOT disqualify me.

poppy10_2

This is shocking. Having significant assets (including your own property) should bar you from getting a council place. I see so many people who are truly in need who are left waiting.

LillyJ

I do not know about GETTING a place, but I know you can stay in one. I know some elderly people who inherited a cottage over 12 hours drive away, but they have stayed in their council property.

I think that is fair enough, as the house isn't worth alot, and it is a very long way a way. They don't try and force people living in southern england to move to the north to get cheaper rent, do they? so why should they force someone to move to a house a long way away?